“I have seen things that you humans could not imagine…” was the incipit of the monologue performed by Rutger Hauer in the role of the replicant of the film Blade Runner by Ridley Scott. He comes to mind after seeing a seemingly impossible shot on the PgaTour.
Pga, shots
Even in 2022 there were some, worthy of being remembered. Some for the victory of the tournament, others as a manifesto of the short game, but all extraordinary for technique, execution, vision of the shot, choice of the moment in which to execute it.
Hideki Matsuyama’s Wood 3 at the Sony Open Playoffs
The 2022 season had just begun and Hideki Matsuyama left everyone speechless with this 3 wood. In the middle of a playoff against Russell Henley, the Japanese printed the second shot from 250 meters for the eagle at one meter. The coolest thing? He was completely unaware of the result because he had the sun in his eyes. Only the roar of the crowd convinced him of the crazy performance.
Matthew Fitzpatrick’s shot from the fairway bunker on the 72nd hole of the US Open
It could have easily cost him his first major major, but it was just the opposite. A 9 iron, difficult especially for the contingent situation since Fitzpatrick had a one-stroke advantage on the last hole of the US Open. Later he will tell the media that he has been working specifically on that type of shot during the year, being a weak point in his game.
Ashleigh Buhai’s exit from the bunker on the fourth hole of the playoffs in the WomensOpen
Ashleigh Buhai and In Gee Chun were on the fourth hole of the playoffs at Muirfield when the South African pulled a shot of pure magic out of her hat. On the far side of a fearsome O-shaped bunker on the green, Buhai placed her out 30cm from the rod to win the Women’s British Open after one of the most suspenseful playoffs of the season.
Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa crash from the bunker at 18 Augusta just seconds apart.
Rory McIlroy blew the Patrons off their seats on Sunday at the Masters when he potted a bunker shot on the final hole of the tournament. The jab was incredible in itself, but what came next made it even better: McIlroy’s playmate Collin Morikawa repeated the feat seconds later! Not human too.
Sam Ryder’s Hole In One on the 16th hole of the WM Phoenix Open
It is the biggest party in golf. This time it was Sam Ryder who got the “ace” at 16. There are no other things to say. The resulting party is the expression of the joy of the Waste Management Phoenix Open audience that we would like to see more and more often.
Cameron Smith putt from off the green at the Road Hole
Perhaps the bravest coup of the year. On the 17th hole of the Old Course during the 150th anniversary of the Open, Cam Smith putt from the fairway. With the infamous Road Hole bunker ahead of him, Smith chose to sidestep the danger, giving himself the perfect opportunity for par as he was within one stroke of McIlroy. The choice won him the tournament, with the final birdie and a round in 64 hits.
Guido Migliozzi’s second shot at the Cazoo Open the France for the win.
The best shot of the French Open could not be missing, which I would not hesitate to vote as the best shot of the year on the DP World Tour.
A birdie on the last hole was needed to seal the win.
The last brushstroke to the painted work in the first 17 holes came with a “cortado” (cut) 5 iron as requested by the caddy..
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